I use a 9 foot rod for everything I throw. It's a heavy action Predator blank(St.Croix). It feels more like a medium heavy action premier blank though. I even use it for Mag Dawgs with no issues. I have several other 8'6" rods from St.Croix that I really like for clients because they cast every bait I have in the boat really well. I'll tell you this, once you get a longer rod you'll never use the shorter ones again. That's how much you will like the 8'6" or longer rods. I wouldn't get any action too heavy. The medium heavy is perfect in the premier 8'6". Even better, go to Thorne Brothers and get a custom one with a little longer handle. It ballances out the rod so it is a lot lighter feel. Also you can whip cast way better with a longer handle. You can get an extra ten feet on your cast easily with a longer handle. Most of the handles I get are between 16 and 18 inches long. Lonnie has my specs there at Thornes if you want to use them. Good luck,